Video device with electromagnetically reflective elements

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, such as a doorbell, may include a doorbell housing. The doorbell housing may include a front surface facing exterior of a premises and a rear surface facing interior of the premises. A camera, doorbell activator, motion sensor, and/or light source may be at least partially positioned within the doorbell housing. An antenna may be positioned within the doorbell housing. The antenna may be configured to send a wireless signal comprising data to a data receiving device inside the premises. A reflective member may be positioned within the doorbell housing and configured to reflect at least a portion of the wireless signal that is sent toward the front surface of the doorbell housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to and is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/187,130, filed Feb.26, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Video doorbells and video cameras have become an increasing feature forhome security. Conventional video doorbells and cameras can wirelesslytransmit video and/or audio content from an environment adjacent to thevideo doorbell or camera to a user device (e.g., an access point, amobile device, laptop computer, or desktop computer) and/or a storagedevice. For example, the video doorbell or camera can be disposedexterior of a premises, and include an antenna configured to transmitradio frequency (RF) signals containing the video and/or audio contentto the user device and/or storage device that is internal to thepremises. The antenna may transmit the RF signals out in a number ofdirections from the device. The result is that only a small portion ofthe RF signals being transmitted by the antenna are able to be receivedby the user device, such as an access point. These and othershortcomings are identified and addressed by the disclosure.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that both the following general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive. A video device configured to directionallyreflect at least a portion of the radio frequency signals generated bythe device is described. The apparatus may include a housing. Thehousing may include one or more walls. For example, the housing mayinclude front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and one ormore side walls. A number of components may be provided along the frontwall of the housing. For example, a camera, a doorbell activator, amotion sensor, and/or a light source may be provided along the frontwall of the housing.

The front wall, rear wall, top wall, bottom wall, and one or more sidewalls may define a cavity within the housing. One or more circuit boardsmay be positioned within the cavity of the housing. The camera, adoorbell activator, a motion sensor, and/or a light source may becommunicably coupled to at least one of the one or more circuit boards.An antenna may be communicably coupled to at least one of the one ormore circuit boards and positioned within the cavity of the housing.

A reflective member (e.g., an electromagnetically reflective member) maybe positioned within the cavity of the housing. The reflective membermay be sized and shaped to redirect at least a portion of the wirelesssignals (e.g., radio frequency signals) sent by the antenna, andinitially directed exterior of the premises, towards an interior of apremises. For example, the reflective member may have any shape,including, but not limited to, U-shaped, substantially U-shaped, oranother functionally suitable shape. The reflective member may include amaterial or coating suitable for reflecting at least a portion of theradio frequency signals sent by the antenna in a direction differentfrom signal's original direction. For example, the reflective member mayreflect at least a portion of the radio frequency signals originallyheading away from, or out from an exterior of a premises (e.g., a house,building, townhouse, condo, apartment, or another structure) in adirection back towards the interior of the premises. For example, atleast a portion of the reflective member may be positioned between theantenna and the area outside of the premises to reflect radio frequencysignals back towards the interior of the premises. For example, at leasta portion of the reflective member may be positioned between the antennaand the front wall of the housing to reflect at least a portion of theradio frequency signals originally sent by the antenna towards the frontwall of the housing, back towards the back wall of the housing andtowards the interior of the premises. The reflective member may includea first free end and a second free end. The first free end may bepositioned between the antenna and a first side of the housing and thesecond free end may be positioned between the antenna and a second sideof the housing.

The device may include a trim plate. The trim plate may reflect at leastanother portion of the wireless signals (e.g., radio frequency signals)sent by the antenna towards the interior of the premises. For example,at least a portion of the trim plate may be positioned to reflect atleast a portion of the radio frequency signals sent by the antennatowards the back wall of the housing and towards the interior of thepremises. The trim plate may be coupled to the housing. The trim platemay include an outer surface and an inner surface. All or at least aportion of the inner surface of the trim plate may include anelectromagnetically reflective inner surface. The trim plate maysurround at least a portion of the housing. For example, the trim platemay surround at least a portion of the top wall, bottom wall, and one ormore side walls of the housing.

This summary is not intended to identify critical or essential featuresof the disclosure, but merely to summarize certain features andvariations thereof. Other details and features will be described in thesections that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the present description serve to explain the principles of theapparatuses and systems described herein:

FIG. 1A shows a front perspective view of an example video doorbelldevice;

FIG. 1B shows a rear perspective view of the example video doorbelldevice;

FIG. 1C shows a front elevation view of the example video doorbelldevice;

FIG. 1D shows a side elevation view of the example video doorbelldevice;

FIG. 1E shows a top plan view of the example video doorbell device;

FIG. 1F shows a bottom plan view of the example video doorbell device;

FIG. 2A shows a partial-exploded vice of the example video doorbelldevice;

FIG. 2B shows another partial-exploded view of the example videodoorbell device;

FIG. 2C shows a side elevation view of a trim plate of the example videodoorbell device;

FIG. 2D shows a top plan view of the trim plate of the example videodoorbell device;

FIG. 3A shows a partial cross-sectional view of the example videodoorbell device;

FIG. 3B shows a partial rear perspective view of an interior of theexample video doorbell device;

FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of another antenna andreflective member configuration for use with the example video doorbelldevice.

FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of another antenna andreflective member configuration for use with the example video doorbelldevice;

FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of another antenna andreflective member configuration for use with the example video doorbelldevice;

FIGS. 7A shows a system environment for use of the example videodoorbell device and 7B shows a portion of FIG. 7A, including the examplevideo doorbell device, in magnified form;

FIGS. 7C and 7D show partial cross-sectional views of the reflectivecapability of the trim plate of the video doorbell device;

FIG. 8 shows a view of a radio frequency signal dispersion for aconventional video doorbell device without reflective members; and

FIG. 9 shows a view of radio frequency signal dispersion for a videodoorbell device with a reflective member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” oneparticular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When sucha range is expressed, another configuration includes from the oneparticular value and/or to the other particular value. When values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another configuration. Itwill be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges aresignificant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently ofthe other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently describedelement, feature, event, or circumstance may or may not be included oroccur, and that the description includes cases where said element,feature, event, or circumstance is included or occurs and cases where itis not included or does not occur.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intendedto exclude other components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “anexample of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferredor ideal configuration. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense,but for explanatory purposes.

Certain relationships between dimensions of the device described hereinand between features of the device are described herein using the term“substantially.” As used herein, the terms “substantially” and“substantially equal” indicates that the equal relationship is not astrict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variationstherefrom. Unless context or the description indicates otherwise, theuse of the term “substantially” or “substantially equal” in connectionwith two or more described dimensions or positions indicates that theequal relationship between the dimensions or positions includesvariations that, using mathematical and industrial principles acceptedin the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors,manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significantdigit of the dimensions. As used herein, the term “substantiallyconstant” indicates that the constant relationship is not a strictrelationship and does not exclude functionally similar variationstherefrom. As used herein, the term “substantially vertical” indicatesthat the vertical relationship of the element is not a strict limitationand does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. As usedherein, the term “substantially horizontal” indicates that thehorizontal relationship of the element is not a strict limitation anddoes not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. As usedherein, the term “substantially parallel” indicates that the parallelrelationship is not a strict relationship and does not excludefunctionally similar variations therefrom. As used herein the term“substantially level” indicates that the positional relationship is nota strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similarvariations therefrom.

It is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups,etc. of components are described that, while specific reference of eachvarious individual and collective combinations and permutations of thesemay not be explicitly described, each is specifically contemplated anddescribed herein. This applies to all parts of this applicationincluding, but not limited to, elements and features in describedapparatuses and steps in described methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that may be performed or elements and features thatmay be included or substituted, it is understood that each of theseadditional steps may be performed or elements and features may beincluded or substituted with any specific configuration or combinationof configurations of the described methods, systems, and apparatuses.

Throughout this application reference is made to block diagrams. It willbe understood that each block of the block diagrams, and combinations ofblocks in the block diagrams, respectively, may be implemented in anumber of different ways. Accordingly, blocks of the block diagramssupport one or a combinations of devices for performing the specifiedfunctions.

Certain video doorbell devices and video camera devices include anantenna for wirelessly sending video and/or audio content recorded bythe device. The antenna can generate an electromagnetic wave of RFsignals (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or another wireless standard)that include the video and/or audio content to be received by anotherRF-enabled device, such as an access point. In order to increase theamount of the electromagnetic wave directed towards the other RF-enableddevice, the video doorbell devices and video camera devices can includeone or more electromagnetically reflective members. Theelectromagnetically reflective members can be positioned between theantenna and another part of the device or the environment in one or moredirections that the RF signals do not need to be sent (e.g., oppositethe direction of the other RF-enabled device).

Accordingly, a video doorbell or camera device for providing data, suchas video and/or audio content of an environment near a premises (e.g.,house, building, townhouse, condo, apartment, or another structure) isshown and described. The device may include a housing that includes oneor more walls. For example, the housing may include a front wall, a rearwall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and one or more side walls thattogether define a cavity within the housing. The front wall may beconfigured to face out or away from the premises (e.g., a house,building, townhouse, condo, apartment, or another structure). The rearwall may be configured to face towards the interior of the premises(e.g., a house, building, townhouse, condo, apartment, or anotherstructure).

A number of components may be positioned along the front wall of thehousing. For example, a camera, doorbell activator, motion detector,and/or a light source may be positioned along the front wall of thehousing. These components may be positioned within the cavity of thehousing and/or along the outer surface of the front wall of the housing.

The cavity may include a number of components for operating the device.For example, one or more circuit boards may be positioned within thecavity. The camera, doorbell activator, motion detector, and/or lightsource may be communicably coupled to one or more of the one or morecircuit boards. For example, an antenna, transmitter, receiver, and/ortransceiver may be positioned within the cavity. Each of the antenna,transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver may be communicably coupled toone or more of the circuit boards. The antenna may be configured to sendand receive electromagnetic waves in multiple directions. For example,the antenna may be configured to send and receive radio frequency (RF)signals.

For example, a member may be positioned within the cavity. The membermay be an electromagnetically reflective member or may have a surface orcoating that is electromagnetically reflective. The member may bepositioned between the antenna and the front wall of the housing. Themember may be configured to reflect RF signals sent or output by theantenna in a direction towards the back wall of the housing and/ortowards the premises (e.g., house, building, townhouse, condo,apartment, or another structure).

The member may include a top edge at a first vertical positon in thehousing and a bottom edge at a second vertical position in the housing.All or at least a portion of the antenna may be positioned within thecavity of the housing between the first vertical position and the secondvertical position. The member may include a first free end and a secondfree end. The antenna may be positioned between the first free end andthe second free end. For example, the first free end may be positionedbetween the antenna and a first side wall of the housing and the secondfree end may be positioned between the antenna and a second side wall ofthe housing. The member may surround the antenna along three sides ofthe antenna.

The member may have any shape. For example, the member may be U-shapedor substantially U-shaped. For example, the member may be a continuouscurve. For example, the member may include multiple portions. Forexample, the member may include a first portion, a second portion, and athird portion. Each of the first portion, the second portion, and thethird portion may include a planar or curved inner surface. The secondportion and the third portion of the member may extend from the firstportion at an angle. For example, the angle may be a right angle or anorthogonal angle.

The device may include a trim plate. The trim plate may be coupled tothe housing.

The trim plate may surround at least a portion of the housing. Forexample, the trim plate may surround the top wall, bottom wall, and oneor more side walls of the housing. The trim plate may include an outersurface and an inner surface. The inner surface may abut or bepositioned facing the housing. The trim plate may be anelectromagnetically reflective trim plate or may have a surface orcoating that is electromagnetically reflective. For example, the innersurface of the trim plate may be electromagnetically reflective. Thetrim plate may be configured to reflect RF signals sent or output by theantenna in a direction towards the back wall of the housing and/ortowards the premises (e.g., house, building, townhouse, condo,apartment, or another structure). For example, the inner surface of thewalls of the trim plate may be angled to reflect the RF signals in thedirection towards the back wall of the housing and/or towards thepremises.

FIGS. 1A-F show various views of an example device 100 that may beconfigured to be fixedly or removably coupled to a premises (e.g., ahouse, a condominium, an apartment, a duplex, a townhouse, an officebuilding, another building, another structure, a post, a fence, a gate,a tree, or another mountable surface) either directly or indirectly withthe use of additional components. For example, the device 100 may beconfigured to be fixedly or removably coupled to a mountable surfaceadjacent to a doorway or other egress point of a premises (e.g., house,building, townhouse, condo, apartment, or another structure). Forexample, the device 100 may be configured to be fixedly or removablycoupled to a mountable surface along any other portion of the premises.The mountable surface may be a wall, a door, a doorjamb, a ceiling, anawning a fascia, a post, a column, a fence board or panel, a portion ofa tree, or any other mountable surface, The device 100 may be one ormore of a wireless doorbell, wired doorbell, wireless video camera,wired video camera, wireless speaker and microphone, or wired speakerand microphone.

The device 100 may be constructed of one or more pieces. The device 100may include a front surface 102, a rear surface 104, a top surface 106,a bottom surface 108, and one or more side surfaces 110A-B. Each of thefront surface 102, the rear surface 104, the top surface 106, the bottomsurface 108, and the one or more side surfaces 110A-B may be on the sameor different pieces of the device 100. For example, the rear surface 104may be part of one piece of the device 100 and the front surface 102 maybe part of a second piece of the device 100. At least a portion of thefront surface 102 and the rear surface 104 may be planar orsubstantially planar. For example, a majority of the rear surface 104may be planar or substantially planar. For example, the rear surface 104may be configured to abut a mountable surface for fixedly or removablycoupling the device 100 to the mountable surface.

The device 100 may include a number of components along the one or moresurfaces 102-110B of the device 100. An example for the position of someof these components will be described hereinafter; however, it isunderstood that any of the described components may be positioned alongany of the other surface 102-110B of the device 100 in other exampleembodiments. For example, the device 100 may include a camera 112. Thecamera 112 may be communicably coupled to one or more circuit boards308, as discussed below with regard to FIGS. 3A-B. The camera 112 may,for example, be positioned along the front surface 102 of the device100. For example, the camera 112 may be a video camera configured tocapture a video feed of events occurring in front of the front surface102 of the device 100. For example, the camera 112 may be a still cameraconfigured to capture still images of events occurring in front of thefront surface 102 of the device 100. For example, the camera 112 may beoptionally excluded from the device 100.

The device 100 may include a doorbell activator 114. The doorbellactivator 114 may be communicably coupled to one or more circuit boards308, as discussed below with regard to FIGS. 3A-B. The doorbellactivator 114 may, for example, be positioned along the front surface102 of the device 100. For example, the doorbell activator 114 may bepositioned vertically below the camera 112 along the front surface 102of the device 100. For example, the doorbell activator 114 may bepositioned along any other surface 104-110B of the device 100. Thedoorbell activator 114 may be a manually-activated or motion-activatedswitch. For example, a manually-activated doorbell activator 114 mayinclude a pushbutton-switch, a capacitive switch, a toggle-switch, or apull-switch. For example, the doorbell activator 114 may be optionallyexcluded from the device 100.

The device 100 may include a speaker and/or a microphone 116. Each ofthe speaker and the microphone 116 may be communicably coupled to one ormore circuit boards 308, as discussed below with regard to FIGS. 3A-B.The speaker and the microphone may be positioned together on the device100. For example, the speaker/microphone combination 116 may bepositioned along the bottom surface 108 of the device 100 verticallybelow the camera 112 and/or the doorbell activator 114. For example, thespeaker/microphone combination 116 may be positioned along any othersurface 104-110B of the device 100. The speaker and microphone 116 maybe positioned separate from one another on the device 100. For example,the speaker may be positioned along one surface 102-110B and themicrophone may be positioned along another surface 102-110B of thedevice 100. For example, the speaker and microphone may be positionedalong the same surface 102-110B of the device but at two separatelocations. The speaker 116 may be configured to generate audible soundto the area adjacent the device 100. The microphone 116 may beconfigured to receive audible sound from the area adjacent to the device100.

The device 100 may include a motion sensor (not shown). The motionsensor may be communicably coupled to one or more circuit boards 308, asdiscussed below with regard to FIGS. 3A-B. The motion sensor may, forexample, be positioned along the front surface 102 of the device 100.The motion sensor may be any type of motion sensor. For example, themotion sensor may be passive infrared motion sensor, a microwave sensor,a combination microwave and passive infrared sensor, or any other typeof motion sensor known to those skilled in the art. For example, themotion sensor may be optionally excluded and the camera 112, via the oneor more circuit boards 308, may include advanced signal processing todetect motion and determine when to start recording at the camera 112and/or the microphone 116.

The device 100 may include one or more apertures 118A-B that extendthrough all or a portion of the device 100. For example, the one or moreapertures 118A-B may be positioned along a rear surface 104 of thedevice 100. The one or more apertures 118A-B may each be configured toreceive a coupling device (not shown) (e.g., a screw, a nail, a rivet, apin) therethrough for removably or fixedly coupling the device to amountable surface. For example, two apertures 118A-B may be providedalong the rear surface 104 of the device. For example, one or more thantwo apertures 118A-B may be provided along the rear surface 104 oranother surface 102-110B of the device 100.

The device 100 may include one or more light sources 120. Each of theone or more light sources 120 may be communicably coupled to one or morecircuit boards 308, as discussed below with regard to FIGS. 3A-B. Theone or more light sources 120, for example, may be positioned along thefront surface 102 of the device 100. For example, the one or more lightsources 120 may be positioned vertically below the camera 112 along oradjacent the front surface 102 of the device 100. For example, the oneor more light sources 120 may be positioned vertically above the camera112 along or adjacent the front surface 102 of the device 100. Forexample, the one or more light sources 120 may be positioned verticallyabove the doorbell activator 114 along or adjacent the front surface 102of the device 100. For example, the one or more light sources 120 may bepositioned vertically below the doorbell activator 114 along or adjacentthe front surface 102 of the device. For example, the one or more lightsources 120 may be positioned vertically between the camera 112 and thedoorbell activator 114 along or adjacent the front surface 102 of thedevice. For example, the one or more light sources 120 may be positionedalong or adjacent any other surface 104-110B of the device 100. Each ofthe one or more light sources 120 may be any type of light sourceincluding, but not limited to, a light emitting diode (LED), organicLED, incandescent, etc.). For example, five LED light sources 120 may beprovided along or adjacent the front surface 102 of the device 100. Forexample, the five light sources 120 may be aligned horizontally along oradjacent the front surface 102 of the device 100. For example, each ofthe one or more light sources 120 may be positioned behind the frontsurface 102 and may generate light that is emitted through the frontsurface 102. For example, the front surface 102 may include at least aportion that is transparent or translucent along at least the locationof the one or more light sources 120 so that light emitted by each ofthe one or more light sources 120 is viewable from an exterior area ofthe device 100. The one or more light sources 120 may provide a visualindication of audible sound being emitted by the speaker 116. Forexample, as the volume of audio emitted by the speaker 116 increases,the number of the one or more light sources 120 that are energized toemit visual light increases.

FIGS. 2A-D show various views of the device 100. As discussed above withreference to FIGS. 1A-F, the device 100 may be constructed of more thanone piece. For example, the device 100 may include a housing 202. Thedevice 100 may also include a mounting plate 204 that is coupled to thehousing 202. For example, the mounting plate 204 may be removably orfixedly coupled to the housing 202. The device 100 may include a trimplate 206. The trim plate 206 may be removably coupled to the housing202 and configured to surround at least a portion of an outer surface ofthe housing 202.

The housing 202 may include a front wall 208, an opposing rear wall 210and one or more additional walls positioned between the front wall 208and the rear wall 210. For example, the housing may include a top wall212, a bottom wall 214, and one or more side walls 216, each extendingfrom the front wall 208 to the rear wall 210. For example, a single wallmay be positioned between and extend from the front wall 208 to the rearwall 210.

The camera 112, the doorbell activator 114, the motion sensor, and theone or more light sources 120 may, for example, be positioned along oradjacent the front wall 208 of the housing 202 in a manner the same asthat described with regard to the front surface 102 of the device 100 ofFIGS. 1A-F. For example, the camera 112, the doorbell activator 114, themotion sensor, and the one or more light sources 120 may be positionedalong or adjacent any other wall 210-216 of the housing 202. The speakerand/or microphone 116 may, for example, be positioned along or adjacentthe bottom wall 214 of the housing 202 in a manner same as thatdescribed with regard to the bottom surface 108 of the device 100 ofFIGS. 1A-F. For example, the speaker and/or microphone 116 may bepositioned along or adjacent any other wall 208-216 of the housing 202.The device 100 may include one or more electrical contacts (not shown)positioned along the rear wall 210 of the housing 210. For example, theone or more electrical contacts may be electrically coupled to andprovide electrical power to the one or more circuit boards 308 of FIGS.3A-B, the camera 112, the doorbell activator 114, the speaker and/ormicrophone 116, the motion sensor, and the one or more light sources120, as well as other components of the device 100. The one or moreelectrical contacts may be directly or indirectly electrically coupledto a power source. The power source may be a battery or mains powerprovided through one or more conductive wires.

The mounting plate 204 may include a front surface 218, an opposing rearsurface 220, a top end 222, a bottom end 224, and one or more sidesurfaces 226A-B. For example, the front surface 218 of the mountingplate 204 may abut or be positioned adjacent to the rear wall 210 of thehousing 202 when the housing 202 is coupled to the mounting plate 204.The rear surface 220 of the mounting plate may abut or be positionedadjacent to a mountable surface when the mounting plate 204 is coupledto the mountable surface.

The mounting plate 204 may include the one or more apertures 118A-B forcoupling the mounting plate 204 to a mountable surface. For example, theapertures 118A-B may include two apertures 118A-B that are vertically orsubstantially vertically aligned along and extend through the frontsurface 218 and the rear surface 220. For example, the mounting plate204 may include more or less than two apertures. 118A-B.

The mounting plate 204 may include one or more electrical contacts228A-B positioned along the front surface 218 of the mounting plate 204.For example, the one or more electrical contacts 228A-B may beelectrically coupled to the one or more contacts of the housing 202 andprovide electrical power to the one or more circuit boards 308 of FIGS.3A-B, the camera 112, the doorbell activator 114, the speaker and/ormicrophone 116, the motion sensor, and the one or more light sources120, as well as other components of the device 100. The one or moreelectrical contacts 228A-B may be directly or indirectly electricallycoupled to a power source. The power source may be a battery or mainspower provided through one or more conductive wires.

The mounting plate 204 may include a coupling device 230. For example,the coupling device 230 may be a threaded coupling device for removablycoupling the housing 202 to the mounting plate 204. For example, thecoupling device 230 may be a pin, a rivet, a bolt or any other type ofcoupling device for coupling the housing 202 to the mounting plate 204.The coupling device 230 may be positioned along the top end 222 or anyother surface of the mounting plate 204. For example, the housing 202may include a threaded aperture along the top wall 212 and the mountingplate 203 may include a through-hole or threaded aperture along the topend 222 of the mounting plate such that the coupling device 230 maythreadably couple the housing 202 to the mounting plate 204. The housing202 may be coupled to the mounting plate 204 in any other known mannersuch as press fit, snap fit, threadable coupling, nail, rivet, pin,adhesive, etc.

The mounting plate 204 may include a wire aperture 233. The wireaperture 233 may extend through the front surface 218 and the rearsurface 220. For example, the wire aperture 233 may be sized and shapedto receive one or more wires therethrough for electrically coupling thedevice 100 to a power source, such as mains power or battery-suppliedpower. In certain examples, the mounting plate 204 may be optionallyexcluded and the housing 202 may be directly coupled to a mountablesurface. For example, the housing 202 may include the apertures 118A-B,such as along the top wall 212 and the bottom wall 214 and/or along theone or more side walls 216 for coupling the housing 202 to the mountablesurface.

The trim plate 206 may include a front edge 232 and a rear edge 234. Thetrim plate 206 may include one or more walls that extend from the frontedge 232 to the rear edge 234. For example, the trim plate may include atop wall 236, a bottom wall 238, and one or more side walls 240A-B. Forexample, the trim plate 206 may include a first side wall 240A and asecond side wall 240B. The trim plate 206 may include more than two sidewalls 240A-B in other examples. Each of the top wall 236, bottom wall238, and one or more side walls 240A-B may include an outer surface 241and an inner surface 242. The inner surface 242 may be constructed of orinclude an electromagnetically reflective material or have anelectromagnetically reflective coating. For example, the inner surface242 may be configured to reflect radio frequency (RF) signals thatimpact the inner surface 242. For example, the inner surface 242 mayconstructed of or otherwise include ceramic, glass, metal or may includean electromagnetically reflective coating, such as a coating of metal,ceramic, or glass.

The top wall 236, bottom wall 238, and one or more side walls 240A-B maydefine an aperture 244. The aperture 244 may extend through the trimplate 206 from the front edge 232 to the rear edge 234. The aperture 244may be sized and shaped to receive a portion of the housing 202therethrough. For example, when the trim plate 206 is coupled to thehousing 202, the top wall 236 may abut or be positioned adjacent to thetop wall 212 of the housing 202, the bottom wall 238 may abut or bepositioned adjacent to the bottom wall 214 of the housing 202, the firstside wall 240A may abut or be positioned adjacent to a side wall 216 ofthe housing 202, and the second side wall 240B may abut or be positionedadjacent to another side wall 216 of the housing 202.

The bottom wall 238 may include an aperture 246 that extends through thebottom wall 238. The aperture 246 may be sized and shaped to receive aportion of the speaker 116 therethrough or to provide an openingadjacent to the speaker 116 to prevent distortion.

The top wall 236 of the trim plate 206, and thus the corresponding innersurface 242 of the top wall 236, may extend downwardly at an angle fromthe horizontal from or adjacent the rear edge 234 to or adjacent thefront edge 232. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the top wall 236 mayextend downward from or adjacent the rear edge 234 to or adjacent thefront edge 232 at an angle α to the horizontal. For example, the angle αcan be an acute angle. For example, the angle α can be in the range ofsubstantially 5 degrees to substantially 45 degrees. For example theangle α can be substantially 15 degrees.

The bottom wall 238 of the trim plate 206, and thus the correspondinginner surface 242 of the bottom wall 238, may extend upwardly at anangle from the horizontal from or adjacent the rear edge 234 to oradjacent the front edge 232. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, thebottom wall 238 may extend upward from or adjacent the rear edge 234 toor adjacent the front edge 232 at an angle β to the horizontal. Forexample, the angle β can be an acute angle. For example, the angle β canbe in the range of substantially 5 degrees to substantially 45 degrees.For example the angle β can be substantially 15 degrees.

The first side wall 240A of the trim plate 206, and thus thecorresponding inner surface 242 of the first side wall 240A, may extendinwardly towards the aperture 244 at an angle from or adjacent the rearedge 234 to or adjacent the front edge 232. For example, as shown inFIG. 2D, the first side wall 240A may extend inwardly from or adjacentthe rear edge 234 to or adjacent the front edge 232 at an angle γ to thehorizontal. For example, the angle γ can be an acute angle. For example,the angle γ can be in the range of substantially 1 degrees tosubstantially 45 degrees. For example the angle γ can be substantially 5degrees.

The second side wall 240B of the trim plate 206, and thus thecorresponding inner surface 242 of the second side wall 240B, may extendinwardly towards the aperture 244 at an angle from or adjacent the rearedge 234 to or adjacent the front edge 232.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2D, the second side wall 240B may extendinwardly from or adjacent the rear edge 234 to or adjacent the frontedge 232 at an angle δ to the horizontal. For example, the angle δ canbe an acute angle. For example, the angle δ can be in the range ofsubstantially 1 degrees to substantially 45 degrees. For example theangle ι can be substantially 5 degrees.

The trim plate 206 may be optionally excluded. For example, the top wall212, bottom wall 214, and one or more side walls 216 of the housing 202may include the elements of the trim plate 206, including theelectromagnetically reflective inner surface. The top wall 212, bottomwall 214, and one or more side walls 216 may include the correspondingangles of the top wall 236, bottom wall 238, first side wall 240A andsecond side wall 240B of the trim plate 206.

FIGS. 3A-B show various internal views of the housing 202 for the device100. The front wall 208, rear wall 210, top wall 212, bottom wall 214,and one or more side walls 216 may define an interior cavity 302 withinthe housing 202. The interior cavity 302 can have any size and shapewithin the constraints of the walls 208-216 of the housing 202.

The housing 202 may include a mounting platform 304. The mountingplatform 304 may be positioned within the cavity 302. The mountingplatform 304 may be made of any material. For example, the mountingplatform 304 may be made of a non-conductive material. The mountingplatform 304 may be directly or indirectly coupled to one or more of thewalls 208-216 of the housing 202. The mounting platform 304 may beplanar or may include a flat or substantially flat surface 306 forcoupling components the mounting platform 304.

The housing 202 may house one or more circuit boards 308. Each of theone or more circuit boards 308 may be positioned within the cavity 302of the housing 202. One or more of the one or more circuit boards 308may be coupled to the mounting platform 304 or another portion of thehousing 102. For example, one or more of the circuit boards 308 may becoupled to the surface 306 of the mounting platform 304. For example,one or more coupling devices 310A-B may be used to couple the one ormore circuit boards 308 to the surface 306 of the mounting platform 304.The one or more coupling devices 310A-B may be any one or more of ascrew, a rivet, a pin, adhesive, or the like. For example, each of theone or more coupling devices 310A-B may be a screw that extends throughan aperture in the one or more circuit boards 308 and the mountingmember 304 to threadably couple the one or more circuit boards 308 tothe mounting platform 304.

Each of the one or more circuit boards 308 may be any type of circuitboard, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), a strip board, or a breadboard. In examples where the one or more of the one or more circuitboards 308 is a PCB, the PCB may be any type of PCB, such as a singlelayer PCB, a double layer PCB, a multi-layer PCB, a high densityinterconnect PCB, or a high frequency PCB. The one or more circuit board308 may have a top surface and an opposing bottom surface. The bottomsurface of one or more of the one or more circuit boards 308 may abutthe surface 306 of the mounting platform 304 and the top surface of theone or more circuit boards 308 may face an inner surface of one of thewalls 208-216 of the housing 202. For example, the top surface of theone or more circuit boards 308 may face an inner surface of the frontwall 210 of the housing 202. The one or more circuit boards 308 may beelectrically coupled to a power source, such as mains power, or batterypower. The one or more circuit boards 308 may be communicably coupled tothe camera 112, the doorbell activator 114 the speaker/microphone 116,the motion sensor, the light source 120, an RF transmitter and/or RFreceiver as well as other components of the device 100.

The one or more circuit boards 308 may include any number of componentspositioned on and electrically coupled to each of the one or morecircuit boards 308. For example, a wireless signal transmitter, such asan antenna 316, may be positioned along a surface of one of the one ormore circuit boards 308. For example, the antenna 316 may be positionedalong the surface of one of the one or more circuit boards 308 and maybe electrically coupled to the one of the one or more circuit boards308. The antenna 316 may be configured to send a wireless communicationsignal. For example, the antenna 316 may be communicably coupled to theRF transmitter and/or RF receiver and configured to transmit content(e.g., video, still images, audio, etc.) from and/or to the device 100.The antenna 316 can have any shape. For example, the antenna 316 can bein the shape of a cube, a rectangular prism, or trapezoidal prism. Theantenna 316 may include a fixed end coupled to the one of the one ormore circuit boards 308 and a free end 318 or rear-facing end. Theantenna 316 may be positioned within the cavity 302 of the housing 202having a vertical and horizontal position within the cavity 302 of thehousing 202. The antenna 316 may be an omni-directional antenna, asemi-directional antenna, or a directional antenna. The one or morecircuit boards 308 may include a number of other known componentsincluding a universal serial bus (USB) port 320. For example, the USBport may be a micro-USB port for communicably coupling another device tothe device 100.

The housing 202 may include a member 322 positioned within the cavity302 of the housing 202. The member 322 may be a reflective member or mayinclude a reflective coating on at least one side of the member 322. Forexample, the member 322 may be an electromagnetically reflective memberor may include an electromagnetically reflective coating on at least oneside of the member 322. The member 322 may be configured to reflectwireless communication signals. For example, the member may beconfigured to reflect at least a portion of the RF signals that impact asurface of the member 322.

The member 322 may have any shape and may be made of or coated with anymaterial for reflecting RF signals. For example, the member 322 may beU-shaped or substantially U-shaped, as shown in FIGS. 3A-6 . Forexample, the member 322 may include multiple portions. For example, eachof the multiple portions may be planar, substantially planar, curved, orcurvilinear. For example, FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view ofanother reflective member configuration for use with the device 100. Themember 400 includes a first portion 404 having a first end 410 and adistal second end 412. For example, the first portion is planar and/orhas a substantially flat antenna-facing surface 402. A second portion406 may be coupled to the first end 410 of the first portion 404. Thesecond portion 406 may be planar or substantially planar and/or may havea substantially flat antenna-facing surface 402 and may include a firstfree end 414. The second portion 406 may extend from the first portion404 at an angle. For example, the angle may be a right angle or anorthogonal angle B. For example, the angle B may be in the range ofsubstantially 95 degrees to substantially 120 degrees. A third portion408 may be coupled to the second end 412 of the first portion 404. Thethird portion 408 may be planar or substantially planar and/or may havea substantially flat antenna-facing surface 402 and may include a secondfree end 416. The third portion 408 may extend from the first portion404 at an angle. For example, the angle may be a right angle or anorthogonal angle A. For example, the angle A may be in the range ofsubstantially 95 degrees to substantially 120 degrees. The member 400may include a reflective coating or surface 402 along at least theantenna-facing side of the member 400. At least a portion of the member400 may be positioned between the antenna 316 and the front wall 208 ofthe housing 202. At least another portion of the member 400 (e.g., at oradjacent the first free end 414) may be positioned between the antenna316 and a first side wall 216 of the housing 202. At least anotherportion of the member 400 (e.g., at or adjacent the second free end 416)may be positioned between the antenna 316 and a second side wall 216 ofthe housing 202. For example, the antenna 316 may be surrounded on threesides of the antenna 316 by the member 400. The member 400 may extendwithin the cavity 302 from a first vertical position in the housing 202to a second vertical position in the housing 202 and all or at least aportion of the antenna 316 may be positioned between the first verticalposition and the second vertical position within the cavity 302 of thehousing 202. For example, all or at least a portion of the antenna 316may be positioned between the first free end 414 and the second free end416 of the member 600. For example, each of the first free end 414 andthe second free end 416 may extend towards the rear wall 210 of thehousing farther than the free end 318 or rear facing end of the antenna316 (e.g., as shown by the dashed line) to surround the antenna 316along three sides with the member 400.

For example, the member 322 may be a continuous curve with the same ordifferent radius of curvature from a first free end to a distal secondfree end. For example, FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view ofanother reflective member configuration for use with the device 100. Themember 500 includes a first free end 504 and a distal second free end506. The member 500 includes a reflective coating or surface 500 alongat least the antenna-facing side of the member 500. The member 500 maybe a continuous curve from the first free end 504 to the second free end506. The radius of curvature along the antenna-facing surface 502 may bevariable or constant. For example, the radius of curvature may beconstant and the member 500 may be in the shape of a hemisphere. Atleast a portion of the member 500 may be positioned between the antenna316 and the front wall 208 of the housing 202. At least another portionof the member 500 (e.g., at or adjacent the first free end 504) may bepositioned between the antenna 316 and a first side wall 216 of thehousing 202. At least another portion of the member 500 (e.g., at oradjacent the second free end 506) may be positioned between the antenna316 and a second side wall 216 of the housing 202. For example, theantenna 316 may be surrounded on three sides of the antenna 316 by themember 500. The member 500 may extend within the cavity 302 from a firstvertical position in the housing 202 to a second vertical position inthe housing 202 and all or at least a portion of the antenna 316 may bepositioned between the first vertical position and the second verticalposition within the cavity 302 of the housing 202. For example, all orat least a portion of the antenna 316 may be positioned between thefirst free end 504 and the second free end 506 of the member 500. Forexample, each of the first free end 504 and the second free end 506 mayextend towards the rear wall 210 of the housing farther than the freeend 318 or rear facing end of the antenna 316 (e.g., as shown by thedashed line) to surround the antenna 316 along three sides with themember 500.

For example, the member 322 may be bowl-shaped. For example, FIG. 6shows a partial cross-sectional view of another reflective memberconfiguration for use with the device 100. The member 600 includes afirst portion 604 having a first end 610 and a distal second end 612.For example, the first portion is planar and/or has a substantially flatantenna-facing surface 602. A second portion 606 may be coupled to thefirst end 610 of the first portion 604. The second portion 606 may becurved or curvilinear and may include a first free end 614. A thirdportion 608 may be coupled to the second end 612 of the first portion604 and may be curved or curvilinear and may include a second free end616. The member 600 may include a reflective coating or surface 602along at least the antenna-facing side of the member 600. The radius ofcurvature along the antenna-facing surface 502 of the second portion 606and the third portion 608 of the member 600 may be variable or constant.For example, the radius of curvature may be variable and may increasefrom the end of the second portion 606 and third portion 608 coupled tothe first portion 604 towards the respective free ends 614, 616. Atleast a portion of the member 600 may be positioned between the antenna316 and the front wall 208 of the housing 202. At least another portionof the member 600 (e.g., at or adjacent the first free end 614) may bepositioned between the antenna 316 and a first side wall 216 of thehousing 202. At least another portion of the member 600 (e.g., at oradjacent the second free end 616) may be positioned between the antenna316 and a second side wall 216 of the housing 202. For example, theantenna 316 may be surrounded on three sides of the antenna 316 by themember 600. The member 600 may extend within the cavity 302 from a firstvertical position in the housing 202 to a second vertical position inthe housing 202 and all or at least a portion of the antenna 316 may bepositioned between the first vertical position and the second verticalposition within the cavity 302 of the housing 202. For example, all orat least a portion of the antenna 316 may be positioned between thefirst free end 614 and the second free end 616 of the member 600. Forexample, each of the first free end 614 and the second free end 616 mayextend towards the rear wall 210 of the housing farther than the freeend 318 or rear facing end of the antenna 316 (e.g., as shown by thedashed line) to surround the antenna 316 along three sides with themember 600.

Returning to FIGS. 3A-B, the member 322 may be made of or coated with amaterial that has a high dielectric constant. For example, the member322 made be made of or coated with a ceramic, glass, or a metallicmaterial. At least a portion of the member 322 may be positioned betweenthe antenna 316 and the front wall 208 of the housing 202. At leastanother portion of the member 322 may be positioned between the antenna316 and a first side wall 216 of the housing 202. At least anotherportion of the member 322 may be positioned between the antenna 316 anda second side wall 216 of the housing 202. For example, the antenna 316may be surrounded on three sides of the antenna 316 by the member 322.

The member 322 may be constructed from one or multiple pieces ofmaterial. For example, the member 322 may include at least one straightportion and at least one curved portion. For example the member 322 mayinclude a first portion 324. The first portion 324 may include a firstend and a distal second end. The first portion 324 may extend verticallywithin the cavity 302 and may extend laterally within the cavity 302adjacent to the front wall 208 of the housing 202. The first portion 324may be planar or curved.

The member 322 may include a second portion 326. The second portion 326may be directly or indirectly coupled to the first end of the firstportion 324 of the member 322. For example, the second portion 326 mayinclude a first end and a distal free end 328. The first end of thesecond portion 326 may be coupled to the first end of the first portion324 by a first curved portion 330 that may include a curved or radiusedinner surface. For example, the first end of the second portion 326 maybe directly coupled to the first end of the first portion 324. Thesecond portion 326 may extend out from the first portion 324 at anangle. For example, the angle may be a right angle or substantially aright angle, as shown in FIG. 3A. For example, the angle may be anobtuse angle, as shown in FIG. 4 . The second portion 326 may extendvertically within the cavity 302 and may extend generally front-to-backwithin the cavity 302 adjacent to the first side wall 216 of the housing202. The second portion 326 may be planar or curved.

The member 322 may include a third portion 332. The third portion 332may be directly or indirectly coupled to the second end of the firstportion 324 of the member 322. For example, the third portion 332 mayinclude a first end and a distal free end 334. The first end of thethird portion 332 may be coupled to the second end of the first portion324 by a second curved portion 336 that may include a curved or radiusedinner surface. For example, the first end of the third portion 332 maybe directly coupled to the second end of the first portion 324. Thethird portion 332 may extend out from the first portion 324 at an angle.For example, the angle may be a right angle or substantially a rightangle as shown in FIG. 3A. For example, the angle may be an obtuse angleas shown in FIG. 4 . The third portion 332 may extend vertically withinthe cavity 302 and may extend generally front-to-back within the cavity302 adjacent to the second side wall 216 of the housing 202 opposite thefirst side wall 216. For example, the third portion may extend along aplane that is parallel or substantially parallel to the plane the secondportion 326 extends along. The third portion 332 may be planar orcurved.

For example, the first portion 324, second portion 326, and thirdportion 322 may be planer or have flat or substantially flat innersurfaces. For example, the first portion 324 may be planer or have aflat or substantially flat inner surface and the second portion 326 andthe third portion 332 may be curved or have a curved inner surface.

The member 322 may be coupled to one or more of the walls 208-216 of thehousing. The member 322 may also comprise or be a heat sink. The member322 may be thermally coupled to one or more of the one or more circuitboards 308. Thermal energy (i.e., heat) may be passed from the one ormore circuit boards 308 to the member 322. For example, one or more ofthe circuit boards 308 may include a first lateral edge 312 and a secondlateral edge 314. One or both of the first lateral edge 312 and thesecond lateral edge 314 may be thermally coupled to the member 322. Forexample, the first lateral edge 312 may physically contact and bethermally coupled to the member 322, such as the third portion 332 orany other portion of the member 322. For example, the second lateraledge 314 may physically contact and bet thermally coupled to the member322, such as the second portion 326 or any other portion of the member322.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a system environment 700 for use of the exampledevice 100. For example, the device 100 may be mounted to a mountablesurface. For example, the mountable surface may be a wall 704 positionedadjacent to a doorway 708 of a premises 702, such as a house, building,townhouse, condo, apartment, or another structure. The premises 702 mayinclude an interior 705 with one or more rooms 706.

The system 700 may also include, or there may be provided within theinterior 705 of the premises 702, a data receiving device, such as anaccess point 710 (e.g., a wireless access point). The access point 710may be located in one of the rooms 706 of the interior 705 of thepremises 702. For example, the access point 710 may be positioned behindthe front wall 208 of the housing 202 of the device 100. The accesspoint 710 may be configured to enable one or more wireless networks,such as WiFi networks, in at least a portion of the premises 702. Theaccess point 710 may be configured to provide access to a network todevices configured with a compatible wireless radio, such as the device100 or other computing devices (e.g., laptops, sensor devices, securitydevices (e.g., cameras)). The access point 710 may provide a usermanaged network (e.g., local area network), a service provider managednetwork (e.g., public network for users of the service provider), and/orthe like.

The device 100 may be wirelessly coupled to the access point 710 andconfigured to send data, such as video and/or audio data (e.g., content)received via the camera 112 and/or audio data (e.g., content) receivedvia the microphone 116, to another device, such as a system storage orprocessing device, or a user device (e.g., a mobile computing device,laptop computer, desktop computer, or other computing device) via theaccess point 710. The device 100 may also be configured to receive audiocontent from a user device via the access point 710, which may be outputvia the speaker 116 at the device 100.

As best seen in FIGS. 7B-7D, the antenna 316 of the device 100 may beconfigured to send out wireless signals (e.g., RF signals 712, 714)containing content and/or data in multiple directions. For example, theRF signals 712, 714 may proceed out from the antenna 316. For example, aportion of the RF signals 714 may be sent out from the antenna 316 in adirection towards the interior 705 of the premises 702 and/or towardsthe access point 710 (see FIG. 7B). This portion of the RF signals 714may have a higher likelihood of being received by the access point 710.For example, another portion of the RF signals 712 may be sent out fromthe antenna 316 in a direction away from, or exterior 707 to, thepremises 702. For example, the portion of the RF signals 712 being sentin the direction exterior 707 to the premises 702 may be sent out fromthe antenna 316 towards the front wall 208 (see FIG. 7B); top wall 212and/or bottom wall 214 (see FIG. 7C), and/or one or more side walls 216(see FIG. 7D) of the housing 202.

As best seen in FIG. 7B, all or at least a portion of the wirelesssignals (e.g., RF signals 712) sent out from the antenna 316 towards theexterior 707 of the premises 702, such as from the antennal 316 towardsthe front wall 208 and one or more side walls 216 of the housing 202,may impact the interior-facing (e.g., facing the interior 705) surfaceof the reflective member 322, 400, 500, 600 and may be reflected backtowards the rear wall 210 of the housing, the interior 705 of thepremises 702, and/or toward the access point 710. The reflective member322, 400, 500, 600 may have any shape, including, but not limited to,U-shaped, substantially U-shaped, or another functionally suitable shapefor redirecting wireless signals (e.g., RF signals 712) originallydirected by the antenna 316 exterior the premises 702, in anotherdirection (e.g., towards the interior 705 of the premises and/or towardthe access point 710). The reflective member 322, 400, 500, 600 mayinclude a material or coating suitable for reflecting at least a portionof the wireless signals sent by the antenna. For example, at least aportion of the reflective member 322, 400, 500, 600 may be positionedbetween the antenna 316 and the front wall 208 of the housing 202 toreflect the wireless signals (e.g., RF signals 712) originally directedby the antenna 316 towards the front wall 208 and exterior 707 thepremises 702 in a direction towards the interior of the premises 702and/or towards the access point 710. For example, at least a portion ofat least the portion of the reflective member 322, 400, 500, 600 mayhave a planar or substantially planar interior-facing surface to directthe wireless signals (e.g., RF signals 712 originally sent in thedirection towards the front wall 208 of the housing 202 in the directiontowards the rear wall 210 of the housing 202, the interior 705 of thepremises 702, and/or towards the access point 710. For example, at leasta second portion of the reflective member 322, 400, 500, 600 may bepositioned between the antenna 316 and a first side wall 216 of thehousing 202 to reflect the wireless signals (e.g., RF signals 712)originally directed by the antenna 316 towards the first side wall 216and exterior 707 the premises 702 in a direction towards the interior ofthe premises 702 and/or towards the access point 710. For example, atleast a third portion of the reflective member 322, 400, 500, 600 may bepositioned between the antenna 316 and a second side wall 216 of thehousing 202 to reflect the wireless signals (e.g., RF signals 712)originally directed by the antenna 316 towards the second side wall 216and exterior 707 the premises 702 in a direction towards the interior ofthe premises 702 and/or towards the access point 710. For example, thereflective member 322, 400, 500, 600 may include a first free end and asecond free end. The first free end may be positioned between theantenna 316 and the first side 216 of the housing 202 and the secondfree end may be positioned between the antenna 316 and a second side 216of the housing 202.

The device 100 may also include the trim plate 206 as describedhereinabove. The use of a trim plate 206 with a reflective inner surfacemay provide additional wireless signal reflection capability for thedevice 100. For example, as best seen in FIG. 7C, all or at least aportion of the RF signals 712 sent out from the antenna 316 towards thetop wall 212 and/or exterior 707 may impact the inner-facing (e.g.,facing the interior 705) surface of the top wall 236 of the trim plate206 and may be reflected back towards the rear wall 210 of the housing,the interior 705 of the premises 702, and/or toward the access point710. The inner surface of the top wall 236 of the trim plate 206 mayhave any shape suitable for redirecting wireless signals (e.g., RFsignals 712) originally directed by the antenna 316 exterior thepremises 702, in another direction (e.g., towards the interior 705 ofthe premises and/or toward the access point 710). For example, due tothe downward angle of the top wall 236 of the trim plate 206, all or atleast a portion of these RF signals 712 may be reflected back towardsthe rear wall 210, the interior 705 of the premises 702, and/or towardsthe access point 710. The reflective inner surface of the top wall 236of the trim plate 206 may include a material or coating suitable forreflecting at least a portion of the wireless signals sent by theantenna 316.

For example, all or at least a portion of the RF signals 712 sent outfrom the antenna 316 towards the bottom wall 214 and/or exterior 707 mayimpact the inner-facing (e.g., facing the interior 705) surface of thebottom wall 238 of the trim plate 206 and may be reflected back towardsthe rear wall 210 of the housing, the interior 705 of the premises 702,and/or toward the access point 710. The inner surface of the bottom wall238 of the trim plate 206 may have any shape suitable for redirectingwireless signals (e.g., RF signals 712) originally directed by theantenna 316 exterior the premises 702, in another direction (e.g.,towards the interior 705 of the premises and/or toward the access point710). For example, due to the upward angle of the bottom wall 238 of thetrim plate 206, all or at least a portion of these RF signals 712 may bereflected back towards the rear wall 210, the interior 705 of thepremises 702, and/or towards the access point 710. The reflective innersurface of the bottom wall 238 of the trim plate 206 may include amaterial or coating suitable for reflecting at least a portion of thewireless signals sent by the antenna 316.

For example, as best seen in FIG. 7D, all or at least a portion of theRF signals 712 sent out from the antenna 316 towards the first side wall216 and/or exterior 707 may impact the inner-facing (e.g., facing theinterior 705) surface of the first side wall 240A of the trim plate 206and may be reflected back towards the rear wall 210 of the housing, theinterior 705 of the premises 702, and/or toward the access point 710.The inner surface of the first side wall 240A of the trim plate 206 mayhave any shape suitable for redirecting wireless signals (e.g., RFsignals 712) originally directed by the antenna 316 exterior thepremises 702, in another direction (e.g., towards the interior 705 ofthe premises 702 and/or toward the access point 710). For example, dueto the inward angle of the first side wall 240A of the trim plate 206,all or at least a portion of these RF signals 712 may be reflected backtowards the rear wall 210, the interior 705 of the premises 702, and/ortowards the access point 710. The reflective inner surface of the firstside wall 240A of the trim plate 206 may include a material or coatingsuitable for reflecting at least a portion of the wireless signals sentby the antenna 316.

For example, all or at least a portion of the RF signals 712 sent outfrom the antenna 316 towards the second side wall 216 and/or exterior707 may impact the inner-facing (e.g., facing the interior 705) surfaceof the second side wall 240B of the trim plate 206 and may be reflectedback towards the rear wall 210 of the housing, the interior 705 of thepremises 702, and/or toward the access point 710. The inner surface ofthe second side wall 240B of the trim plate 206 may have any shapesuitable for redirecting wireless signals (e.g., RF signals 712)originally directed by the antenna 316 exterior the premises 702, inanother direction (e.g., towards the interior 705 of the premises 702and/or toward the access point 710). For example, due to the inwardangle of the second side wall 240B of the trim plate 206, all or atleast a portion of these RF signals 712 may be reflected back towardsthe rear wall 210, the interior 705 of the premises 702, and/or towardsthe access point 710. The reflective inner surface of the second sidewall 240B of the trim plate 206 may include a material or coatingsuitable for reflecting at least a portion of the wireless signals sentby the antenna 316.

The result of including the reflective member 322, 400, 500, 600, shapedand positioned within the housing 202 of the device 100, for example, asdescribed herein, may result in a greater percentage of the RF signalssent by the antenna 316 being directed towards the rear wall 210, theinterior 705 of the premises 702, and/or the access point 710 positionedwithin the interior 705. Similarly, the result of including a reflectivetrim plate 206, shaped and positioned about a portion of the housing 202of the device 100, for example, as described herein, may result in afurther greater percentage of the RF signals sent by the antenna 316being directed towards the rear wall 210, the interior 705 of thepremises 702, and/or the access point 710 positioned within the interior705.

For example, FIG. 8 shows an example of a doorbell device 800, thatincludes a housing 802 and a wireless signal transmitter (e.g., anantenna 816) positioned within the housing 802. The doorbell device 800is coupled to an exterior wall 704 of a premises (e.g., premises 702).The antenna 816 sends wireless signals (e.g., RF signals 812 in alldirections, including towards the interior 705 of the premises 702 andexterior 707 the premises 702. There is a lower likelihood that the RFsignal 812 directed exterior 707 the premises 702 would be received by adata receiving device (e.g., an access point) positioned within theinterior of the premises 702.

FIG. 9 shows the example doorbell device 100, including a housing 202,the antenna 316 positioned within the housing 202, the reflective member322 positioned within the housing 202, and the reflective trim plate 206positioned about at least a portion of the housing 202. The doorbelldevice 100 is coupled to an exterior wall 704 of the premises (e.g.,premises 702). As can be in FIG. 9 , as the antenna 316 sends thewireless signals (e.g., RF signals 912), at least a portion of the RFsignals 912 that were sent by the antenna 316 in the direction exteriorthe premises 702 are reflected back by at least one of the reflectivemember 322 or the trim plate 206 towards the interior 705 of thepremises 702, and an access point 710 that may be positioned within theinterior 705 of the premises. The result is that a greater portion ofthe RF signals 912 of the device 100 are ultimately directed towards theinterior of the premises 702 and/or the access point 710 than for the RFsignals 812 of the device 800 without a reflective member 322, 400, 500,600, and/or a reflective trim plate 206.

While specific configurations have been described, it is not intendedthat the scope be limited to the particular configurations set forth, asthe configurations herein are intended in all respects to be possibleconfigurations rather than restrictive.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended thatan order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possiblenon-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic withrespect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaningderived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or typeof configurations described in the specification.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations may be made without departing from thescope or spirit. Other configurations will be apparent to those skilledin the art from consideration of the specification and practicedescribed herein. It is intended that the specification and describedconfigurations be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope andspirit being indicated by the following claims.

1. A method comprising: receiving, by a video doorbell, data; sending,by the video doorbell, in a first direction a wireless signal comprisingat least a portion of the data; and reflecting, by a first portion ofthe video doorbell, at least a portion of the wireless signal in asecond direction.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprisesone or more of video data or audio data.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising detecting, by the video doorbell, motion, wherein thedata is received based on the detected motion.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the first direction comprises a direction away from an interiorof a premises and the second direction is towards the interior of thepremises.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending, in athird direction, the wireless signal comprising the at least the portionof the data; and reflecting, by a second portion of the video doorbell,at least another portion of the wireless signal in a fourth direction.6. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the wireless signal comprisessending the wireless signal to a data receiving device inside apremises.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion of thevideo doorbell comprises one of a reflective member, a trim plate, or amember comprising a reflective coating.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising sending, by the video doorbell, the wireless signalin the second direction.
 9. A method comprising: receiving, by adoorbell comprising a housing, data; sending, by the video doorbell andtowards a front surface of the housing, a wireless signal comprising atleast a portion of the data; and reflecting, by a first portion of thevideo doorbell, at least a portion of the wireless signal away from thefront surface of the housing.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein thedata comprises one or more of video data or audio data.
 11. The methodof claim 9, further comprising detecting, by the doorbell, motion. 12.The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving an indication that adoorbell activator has been activated.
 13. The method of claim 9,further comprising: sending, towards another portion of the housing, thewireless signal comprising the at least the portion of the data; andreflecting, by another portion of the doorbell, at least another portionof the wireless signal in away from the another portion of the housing.14. The method of claim 9, wherein reflecting the at least the portionof the wireless signal away from the front surface of the housingcomprises reflecting the at least the portion of the wireless signaltowards an interior of a premises.
 15. The method of claim 9, whereinthe first portion of the doorbell comprises one of a reflective memberor a member comprising a reflective coating.
 16. The method of claim 9,further comprising sending, by the doorbell, the wireless signal in adirection away from the front surface of the housing.
 17. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the doorbell comprises a video doorbell.
 18. A methodcomprising: receiving, by a video doorbell comprising a housing, videodata; sending, by the video doorbell and toward a first side of thedoorbell housing, a wireless signal comprising at least a portion of thevideo data; and reflecting, by a reflective member of the videodoorbell, at least a portion of the wireless signal sent toward thefirst side of the doorbell housing.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: sending, by the video doorbell and toward a second side ofthe doorbell housing, the wireless signal; and reflecting, by thereflective member, at least another portion of the wireless signal senttoward the second side of the doorbell housing.
 20. The method of claim18, further comprising: sending, by the video doorbell and toward asecond side of the doorbell housing, the wireless signal; andreflecting, by a second reflective member, at least another portion ofthe wireless signal sent toward the second side of the doorbell housing.